Healthy Herremans Ready To Win A Job

Scout.com

02/23/2006

With the NFL hierarchy gathered in Indianapolis for the Combines, there is plenty of news to report. For instance, Todd Herremans is rehabbing his injured ankle and looking to win a starting job with the Eagles. Plus, news on Jon Runyan's free agency plans and insight from around the NFC.

Second-year offensive lineman Todd Herremans is progressing well coming back from the ankle injury he suffered in December. Herremans told scout.com recently that is walking around fine and is doing water exercises to strengthen the ankle. He expects to be ready for the post-draft minicamp.

If right tackle Jon Runyan isn't re-signed, Herremans would be the favorite to replace him from the current roster. If Runyan re-signs, look for Herremans to compete for the starting left guard job against Artis Hicks who had an up and down season.

Speaking of Runyan, a league source told scout.com recently that Runyan would be willing to accept up to 25% less than another team would offer because he wants to finish his career with the Eagles. The team is expected to resume contract discussions with Runyan's representative this week in Indianapolis.

There's plenty of other news from around the NFC coming out of Indianapolis:

Arizona Cardinals – According to a league source, soon-to-be free agent quarterback Josh McCown has the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins on his wish list, with Miami at the top of the list. He's looking for a team that will give him the best chance to start. The New York Jets are also a possibility.

Carolina Panthers – While many fans are speculating that the team would make a run at signing running back Shaun Alexander should he not re-sign with Seattle, don't look for it. The team is right against the salary cap limit and they're concentrating on re-signing their own players first — namely running back DeShaun Foster and linebacker Will Witherspoon.

Dallas Cowboys – Head coach Bill Parcells puts a high premium on special teams so don't be surprised if he makes a run at signing veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri if the New England Patriots aren't able to re-sign him before the start of free agency or don't place the franchise tag on him by Thursday's deadline. Vinatieri played for Parcells when he was a rookie in 1996 and Parcells didn't find much success with place kickers Shaun Suisham and Bill Cundiff last season.

Green Bay Packers – According to a league source, the team hasn't had any contract discussions with veteran defensive tackle Grady Jackson and it's almost a certainty that the team won't re-sign him. One player who the team might look at to replace Jackson is defensive tackle Rocky Bernard who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 3 should he not re-sign with Seattle. Jackson is coming off of his best season in his four-year career and many around the league think he can become a star.

The Packers are well under the salary cap and Executive V.P., General Manager & Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson was involved in drafting Bernard when he was with Seattle.

Minnesota Vikings – Don't look for the team to acquire free agent running back Jamal Lewis from the Baltimore Ravens. Those who have studied new head coach Brad Childress' offense say Lewis would be a bad fit and he doesn't offer enough versatility.

New Orleans Saints – Unless the team surprisingly decides to place the franchise tag on center LeCharles Bentley by Thursday's deadline, don't look for him to re-sign with the team. Bentley's representatives haven't had any meaningful contract discussions and those close to the team don't expect any before the free agency deadline. The team also decided months ago not to re-sign defensive end Darren Howard who still should receive a lot of attention in free agency. Howard told the team back in December that he wouldn't re-sign because he wasn't happy with their decision not to play him in the final month of the season. Howard said his chronic knee issue had nothing to do with their decision not to play him.

New York Giants – If linebacker Nick Greisen isn't re-signed by the free agent deadline, he should be able to find a starting job elsewhere. According to a few NFL scouts that scout.com has talked to recently, they believe the versatile Greisen is a rising star who is in the upper half of all the weak side or inside linebackers in the league.

San Francisco 49ers – The decision not to place the franchise tag on veteran linebacker Julian Peterson shouldn't come as that much of a surprise. A few scouts who have studied his game tape from last season say he hasn't been the same player since suffering a torn Achilles two years ago. While Peterson is still a good player, he's not a great one like he was before the injury. It would cost the team $7.169 million to franchise him.

Seattle Seahawks – The saga of running back Shaun Alexander continues. His agent Jim Steiner called Vice President/Football Administration Mike Reinfeldt early last week to resume contract discussions. Still, according to a league source, both sides remain far apart.

As noted in this space during Super Bowl week, Alexander would like to get a deal close to what San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson got two years ago. Tomlinson's eight-year, $60 million deal included close to $20 in bonus money. His signing bonus was 12.4 million and he was paid $7.56 million in two roster bonuses in the first two years of the new deal.

Seattle's concern lies in paying Alexander a big chunk of guaranteed money for a running back that turns 29 next season.

A league source told scout.com this week that the team isn't expected to re-sign reserve running back Maurice Morris and they're looking for an upgrade at that position. They may look for one with bigger size.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Those who know fullback Mike Alstott well told scout.com recently that they expect the 10-year pro to come back for his 11th season assuming he and the team can work out a restructured deal. Alstott felt good at the end of the season and it appears he should be ready to play in 2006.

Washington Redskins – According to a league source, look for quarterback Patrick Ramsey to be moved before April's NFL Draft. Ramsey requested a trade last season after Mark Brunell was named starter and Brunell is expected to be the starter in 2006. He's on the final year of his contract and is set to be paid $1.688 million this season.

The team turned down trade offers from other teams last season but they want to speed up the maturation process of second-year signal caller Jason Campbell and to do that, Ramsey would have to be moved.

Potential suitors for Ramsey include the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets (they called the Redskins last season inquiring about Ramsey's availability).